After more than a year of robust dialogue with community stakeholders and city officials while gaining several of the required approvals to begin the historic restoration and expansion of Wrigley Field, we have crossed our final hurdle with the City of Chicago as the Commission on Chicago Landmarks today approved our revised bleacher expansion. Today’s affirmative vote means we are much closer to achieving our goals of winning a World Series, preserving Wrigley Field and being a good neighbor by investing in our community.

The revised bleacher expansion includes our original proposal of seven outfield signs, which are an integral part of the overall planned development. The revised plan also includes additional seating and open spaces in the Budweiser Bleachers, new group terraces in right and left field, enclosed hospitality areas and new outfield lighting. All of these features will be a tremendous source of revenue to fund parts of the restoration project and put more resources on the field.

In the coming weeks, we will submit permit applications and prepare to get construction started in areas around the ballpark.

The initial phase of construction will include our surface parking lots and two-story parking lot on Eddy Street. First, we will begin demolishing the Brown Lot later this month. The new Brown Lot will be expanded by 100 parking spaces to accommodate gameday parking and guests staying at the new Sheraton Hotel. As the season concludes, we will begin work in the Gold, Red and Purple Lots. The Gold Lot will be the home of our new broadcast center for home and visiting television networks. Currently, broadcast teams are located in the Red Lot adjacent to the ballpark, which will be the site of the new western gate and plaza. The most significant work will occur in the Purple Lot. We will begin excavation of the Purple Lot to lay the foundation for the sub-basements which will house the Levy commissary space and the new clubhouse for Cubs players.

The City of Chicago also will be closing portions of Waveland and Sheffield to relocate underground water and sewer infrastructure in preparation of the team moving the ballpark walls out onto Waveland and Sheffield this fall.

Much of this work won’t impact fan access and gameday operations, so construction will occur throughout our remaining homestands. Following the conclusion of the season, we will immediately begin the Budweiser Bleacher expansion and anticipate completing the installation of new seating, group terraces, outfield signs and lighting, including the new left field video board, by Opening Day 2015.

Finally, as we begin work to restore beautiful Wrigley Field, we hope to avoid litigation and will continue to talk with rooftop businesses to determine if there are opportunities to broker a final settlement. If not, we are prepared to defend our right to expand Wrigley Field.

This is a long time coming and we want to thank you for your support in helping us preserve the greatest ballpark in baseball while investing to build a championship ballclub. There will continue to be challenges and hurdles along the road ahead and we look forward to your continued support.

As we begin this historic restoration and expansion, we will continue to provide important updates related to the construction process and schedule as the project moves forward. For news and updates, please visit www.wrigleyfield.com.